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View Full Version : Gray Squirrel Hit By Car in NYC...



thesquirrellady
09-04-2007, 05:02 PM
Hi all,
I am in need of your advice. I found your terrific board through a web query this morning. Last night, a friend pointed out a young adult squirrel that had been hit by a car just down the street from my house. He ran under the overhang of a fence on the sidewalk to hide from all the people walking around. This in NYC afterall. I checked him out and he seemed to have a busted front paw and possibly a hind leg injury on the opposite side as well. He has trouble walking of course but seems okay otherwise. There are no open wounds to be seen and he is bright eyed. I don't have any rehabilitation experience but I do provide numerous nest boxes for squirrels & other various critters on my property so I am aware of their behavioral and dietary habits. I cannot however provide him medical services but I am in a bad position because I don't believe there are any vets here in NYC who will service a wild animal due to legas restrictions. I can care for him for a while but what if he doesn't get better? A squirrel can't climb trees or forage with two busted legs can he? For now I will make him as comfortable as possible in the backyard. I put his cage inside an old dog run cage with narrow bars to protect him from predators. He has seemed to settle in, snuggling in an old sheet I used to catch him. I don't know what to do from here. The Center for Animal Control won't help because he isn't a threat to anyone & isn't an endangered species. Can you give me any references for the NYC area? I can provide further details later, I am at my office right now and can't dawdle too long. Thanks so much in advance! :Love_Icon

rippie-n-lilgirlsmom
09-04-2007, 05:06 PM
You are in luck, there is a rehabber here in NYC, she also has acsess to a vet.
Her screen name is Island rehabber.
SHe will be on soon...please check back I have her phone # if I dont see her come on soon I will give her a ring.:thumbsup Thank you for helping the hurt squirrel!
Squirrellady could you pm me a phone number that you can be reached at? Maybe that would be better?

island rehabber
09-04-2007, 05:11 PM
HI -- I'm here I'm here! You need to get that poor squirrel over to Animal general on Columbus avenue....ask for Karen Heidgerd, their wildlife specialist -- here's the #: 212-501-9600 -- 558 Columbus Ave -- Good luck!!!

rippie-n-lilgirlsmom
09-04-2007, 05:11 PM
And.........there she is!!! :thankyou Island!!

LynninIN
09-04-2007, 08:37 PM
Wow! Post and answer in under 10 minutes. :alright.gif :wahoo

thundersquirrel
09-04-2007, 10:22 PM
we should really try to beat that....lol

island rehabber
09-04-2007, 10:40 PM
Can't you hear Don Henley in the background....."In a New York minute......." :D

thesquirrellady
09-06-2007, 12:51 PM
UPDATE
I just wanted to keep you posted on the little guy. He is hanging in there, eating well and sleeping alot while I have been trying to find a vet to take him to.
I just found a vet in Long Island that will take him. :alright.gif :wahoo

I am going to drive him over there tonight. He seems to have gained back some use of the injured front paw but the hind end still seems lame. He loves hazelnuts and peanuts of course. He is still bright eyed and seems to be grateful to have a warm dry place to snuggle out of harms way. The poor little guy. We both thank you so very much for your advice and support.:Love_Icon :thankyou :Love_Icon

Will be back with an update after the vet has a chance to see him (or her, not sure yet). Bye for now!

Bravo
09-06-2007, 12:56 PM
Good to hear... thanks for posting the news. :thumbsup

susanw
09-06-2007, 04:53 PM
Yes, please let us know what the vet finds and i will keep my fingers crossed!

Thank you so much for helping him, he would have been easy prey.:Welcome

thesquirrellady
09-06-2007, 08:44 PM
UPDATE...:thumbsup
I dropped the little guy at the vets office tonight but the exotic specialist is on vacation & won't be able to check him out until Tuesday. The staff on duty was afraid to handle him too much since he is older and more timid than most squirrels they deal with. They are going to keep him there until then. He will have company, two little baby squirrels that were brought in recently.
I shall continue to update you as things progress. :grouphug

island rehabber
09-06-2007, 08:47 PM
Great work, thesquirrellady -- I know anyplace recommended by my buddy Barbara must be ok!! :thumbsup:)

thesquirrellady
09-07-2007, 07:49 PM
:D GREAT NEWS! :D :alright.gif
The little guy got to see the vet today. He said his front arm should heal and there is nothing wrong with his back end. I guess he was just being shy the whole time. He is going to take the squirrel home with him over the weekend and release him in his area which is more rural than my area. What a lucky little guy.
I couldn't have done it without your help.
:thankyou :thankyou :thankyou

4skwerlz
09-07-2007, 07:59 PM
:wahoo :wahoo :wahoo

What a happy ending! You'll get your crown in heaven for this, Squirrellady. Bless you! :Love_Icon